Month: March 1924

White Hares have been observed in considerable numbers on the Sperrin Mountains (County Tyrone) and the adjoining portions of County Derry this winter. The occurrence of white Hares in numbers is remarkable, and it is considered locally that some person must have introduced a strange breed. I have often heard discussed the occurrence of one white Hare on the Cleavavaddy Mountain about 50 years ago. As our Irish Hare is the mountain species (Lepus timidus) which becomes white in winter in the mountainous parts of Europe and in Asia and in Northern Scotland, it will be readily understood that exceptionally rigorous weather conditions might produce—even in our generally milder climate—this characteristic of the breed. These conditions occurred early in winter—in November—when an exceptionally severe snowstorm occurred on the Sperrin range, the snow lying for several weeks. So severe was the storm that several flocks of sheep fled from the mountains to the lowlands, and were with difficulty collected by their owners. My opinion is that the sudden and considerable drop in temperature early in winter was responsible for the change of colour. Perhaps some of your readers can offer a better explanation!—“G. B. M`Keown” (Draperstown)